China Removes All Keanu Reeves Films, After Supporting Tibet

Keanu Reeves (Foto: Flickr @Nathan Congleton)

JAKARTA - The film starring Keanu Reeves has reportedly been removed from Chinese streaming platforms such as Tencent Video, Youku, and Migu Video following the actor's public support for Tibet earlier this year.

Reeves was announced in January to be performing for the 35th Tibet House Benefit Concert alongside Laurie Anderson, Patti Smith, Cyndi Lauper and Iggy Pop. The event took place virtually for the second time earlier this month.

After Reeves' participation in the Tibet event was announced, Chinese nationalists took to social media to protest against the actor.

China rejects Tibet's claim to independence and has long provoked artists who have expressed support for Tibet and/or the Dalai Lama. Reeves' support for Tibetan causes was publicized just as "The Matrix Resurrections" opened in China, but the film was boycotted by nationalists and failed at the box office.

Following this month's Tibet House Benefit event, dozens of Reeves films have now been removed from streaming platforms in China, with at least 19 films pulled from Tencent Video.

Every Reeves film except for his voice role in "Toy Story 3" was pulled from the top streamers Youku and Migu Video. Other platforms such as Bilibili and Xigua Video have also reportedly removed the film.

Although "Toy Story 3" continued to air, the credits only featured a local voiceover and Reeves' name was not listed.

A search for Reeves on the iQiyi platform reportedly gave users the message, "Sorry, no results related to 'Keanu Reeves' were found. Due to relevant laws, regulations and policies, some results were not displayed," quoted from Variety, Friday. , March 25.

According to the Times, the Reeves films that were omitted include the original "Matrix" trilogy, "Speed", "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure", "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Lake House".

Quoted from ANTARA, Hollywood stars who have previously shown support for or affiliation with any individual or organization seen as pro-Tibetan independence are considered taboo in a country ruled by the Chinese Communist Party.

Previous cases include Richard Gere, who lost a film deal because of his steadfast stance on Tibet and close ties to the 14th Dalai Lama, and Selena Gomez, for having a photo with the Dalai Lama.